"My values are who I am," said Sanford, a first lieutenant. He said his duty to the military outweighs his obligation to the office of governor. "My values are who the people of South Carolina elected. My values will directly impact whether or not we can pull off change. And so you can't separate the one from the other."

Sanford, 42, gained his commission in the 315th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron on Jan. 30, 2002, and critics accused him of using military service for political gain. He announced his candidacy for governor in March 2001. He said he began trying to join the military during his third and last term as a congressman.

He expects to complete a two-week officer training class in March or April, but won't step aside as he does that work. He's uncertain when he will undertake up to 11 weeks of training also required for his military job. That work can be done through a correspondence course over the course of a year.

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Even if he's activated to serve for two years or more, Sanford says he won't resign, but will leave the state's business in the hands of Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer, also a Republican, who would serve as interim governor.

Sanford said he has been reviewing the legal requirements for honoring the commitment since December.

According to the state constitution: "No person while governor shall hold any office or other commission (except in the militia) under the authority of this state, or of any other power." The constitution's description of militia is consistent with the state's National Guard, which the governor controls, not the U.S. Air Force Reserve.

Sanford said he relied on a precedent set by Gov. Carroll Campbell, who served on a federal board while he was governor. And, he said, legislators have served in Reserve units or the National Guard.

"We read through and feel quite comfortable with what we've seen in those two examples," Sanford said. Although he said he might seek a court ruling to clarify the question.

Eldon Wedlock, a University of South Carolina law professor and constitutional law expert, said a court ruling would settle the question.

While Sanford said that his job in the Reserve is not as difficult as being governor - "It's a much less taxing job than the one I have now" - the responsibilities as the state's chief executive pale next to the principle of honoring the commitment.

Sanford said high-paid professionals should not back away from military service because it leaves the "kid in McCormick County with few financial or education options" as "the guy that gets sent off to Vietnam or to North Korea to whatever the next hot spot is around the globe."

Sanford says he's fit for the physical challenges, including overcoming a back injury. "I had an MRI on Friday and the bottom line was that I have a torn disk and the good news is the pain's getting better," Sanford said.

First lady Jenny Sanford said she stood by her husband's decision. Their sons have "the typical little-boy concerns," she said. " 'Dad, if you go, we're going to pray and we're going to cry.' "

--From the Thursday, January 30, 2003 online edition of the Augusta Chronicle